Overwhelmed or anxious student

 

By Lily T.

Hello, like for many students it is hard to find a method on how to study effective more. This post is to inspire students to learn more about what works for them and how to step back think a little more critically on topics of interest.  

If I was a overwhelmed student: 

Side note: I believe that university brings two types of people there are those who complain and there are those who work with the resources that they have. Please don't get stuck into the trap of bashing professors or blaming everything on something. Redirect that and identify what your needs are and meet yourself halfway. 

•  Meeting yourself halfway is 
• what is my situation, 
• what are my goals, 
• what am I doing currently,
• what am I afraid to do that will help me reach my goals? 

• Methods for a overwhelmed student:
• Go to your rubric and add dates when your exams are coming up, big deadlines.
• Create a Google spreadsheet with courses listed 
• a space where you can add information, to go back to later
• you can link your canvas page for a quick access when switching between course.
• Example: 1 and 2 image 
• 
• 

  
  
  
• When studying go through your slides. The blank version if your teacher has a notes do not look at that yet run through the blank version and then write a little something as you go. It could be a summary sentence or like a note to self once you're done reading through you. Close your slides and blurt. Blurting is the act of writing out everything that you remember onto a piece of paper or whiteboard. If you can remember it, then you know it.
• Other versions of blurting would be:  
• 1. Write everything that you remember from the slides and checking to see what you forgot. 
• 2. Writing out the headings and then writing the information that you remember according to the headings. 
• 3. Make mnemonic or acronyms (You can get the first letters make a word or a sentence that reminds you of the relation between the topic or the vocabulary.)
• Once you're done with your slides and presentations. Go on your textbook or homework problems apply that knowledge that you learn from your slides to your assignment. Give yourself time to wrestle with the problem. Get your scrap paper and give it a try. Once you're done rate your confidence if you can try to write what you're thinking as you're solving each step.
• Wait, about 5 to 10 minutes and then correct it then you can look at the solutions. Once you do do that you can ask ChatGPT or create your own random numbers to review later to double check your understanding. 
• Once you're done with that homework assignment or practice problems have a piece of paper or a OneNote or google doc where the problems that you've done write them and write the version where the numbers are switched for the review days.
• You should consider having a review or course a folder - it could be a place where you scan your notes to have a digital copy, a place where you have practices that you can print later or run through. 
• Side note: You can also add your previous attempts to a error logging folder.
• 1st attempt after you went over your slides. 
• 2nd attempt after going back in slides and textbook to fill in gaps. 
• 3rd attempt after sometime has past.
•  You could record yourself explain where those gaps where, how to avoid, and how you would solve it.
• Do a Mock timed test a day where you go to your classroom or near and do a test. The percentage are close your level of understanding. 
• For long term memory: 1 day, 3 day, 7 day and a 14 day review. Add those times with a pdf or your folder. A specific time on your calendar. If you use Google calendar you can just add notifications to email you a reminder.
• Bonus trick: have your Google Docs open with the microphone feature and talk the problem through and it also works with starting an essay sometimes you just need to talk it through then edit it later.  ( another version of the Feynman technique)

How to get started if you are scared:

If you just took a test and right now, you're feeling kind of sad about your score. Remember that it is ok to make mistakes but not to dwell on them too much. The first it's important to identify what you could've done better than go back and see where you went wrong. Identify what your new targeted grade is. Make a plan around that. 

You could go to the library early in the morning or you can start studying on the floor. For some they found that studying on the floor has helped them feel a little more grounded, and others have found that being a part of the library they feel empowered.

It is important that you dedicate your studying time to actually studying. Turn off the phone if needed or use a studying app like Forest, YPT, and or Focusmate. Momentum begins with a single step. Be present in the process, trust your pace, and take time to honor how far you've come. Remember to alway study with a plan of milestones you should achieve after the session ends.

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